Friday, June 11, 2010

South Africans are about to get proudly shitfaced - it's what they do best

The simple solution is to enjoy the party and to suspend critical thought until the inevitable August hangover. It is an attractive idea in many ways, but it requires powers of self-deception that are beyond many of us -- and frankly, it is unpatriotic.

In short, we make our engagement with all that is wonderful and awful about the tournament a monument to South Africa that is more lasting than any stadium -- and we yell ourselves hoarse for the country that we are trying to dream into being.

SHOOT: A well written piece of nonsense. Dawes is trying to make the case that we should, with good conscience, party. It's not 1995. Things have gone south a lot since then. A bit like someone stealing a few cases of liquor [killing the liquor store owner] and then you saying, c'mon, what the hell, the deed is done. Really? Either you get shitfaced and ignore reality, or it's a grimmer view and a grimmer stance. What's this business of being proudly South African though? Proud of what?
Watch the game, sure. But don't talk nonsense about being proud or building monuments. Sort out the 500 child rapes every day, sort out the deplorable misery so many live day in and day out and once you're satisfied that you've eased that social burden, that incredible debt we owe the majority of this countries poor citizens, then you can start to think about being able to honestly, and in good conscience, enjoying yourself in this country. The way we are carrying on shows a dangerous level of social schizophrenia.

Bafana jerseys are not a message we send to the national team; they are a message we send to one another, louder and clearer than skin colour or language. At one level they say: "We are together in this. You're on my team." At another, subtly but crucially different, they say: "I need you to see that I believe we are together in this." It is precisely in insisting on our solidarity that we acknowledge that you can build a bridge only between places that are divided.

This is not patriotism as the last refuge of the scoundrel; it is a complicated, very South African affirmation of our persistent, impossible and yet essential effort to find our way to a less anxious, awkward way of inhabiting this country.

We have overspent to a grotesque and completely unnecessary degree on stadiums, most of which will be a drain on municipal finances for years.

JUST PUBLISHED...the true story behind Steven Avery #MAKINGAMURDERER

Now available at your Kindle Store!

The Force Awakens is finally available on Amazon Kindle!

Is Luke Rey's father? What did that Force Vision mean? And much more!!!

It's here at last!

The story of our visit to the Steenkamp family and our firsthand impressions of what when on in court, behind the scenes...

FUGITIVE - catch it now!

Click on the image to buy FUGITIVE now!

Want to read a Kindle ebook but don't have a Kindle? No sweat - just download the free app!

Click on the image for the download link to the free Amazon Kindle app. Note: You may also need to register on Amazon if you aren't already.,

IT'S HERE! DECEIT Book #1 of our Brand New Series!

Click on the image to buy DECEIT now!

AVAILABLE NOW! Book # 2 in the Bestselling #Shakedown Series

DARK MATTER digs deeper into the five days of intense police investigation immediately following the discovery of the British exchange student sharing a house with Amanda Knox.

Did she or didn't she? UNDER SUSPICION covers new territory providing new answers and new questions

Download the free Kindle App [details below the book cover on the left]. Click on the image to buy this earth-shaking read now!

YAY!! It's here! OBSCURITY is Book # 6 the final book in our bestselling series on Jodi Arias

It's excellent value too! Click on the link to order this book on Amazon. You may need to download a free Kindle App in order to read it on your digital device.

Book # 5 in our Bestselling series on Jodi Arias COMING SOON!

Click on the image to buy OBSCENITY now!

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!...Book 4 in this Bestselling Series...

Click on the image to purchase this book.

AUTHENTICITY IS OUT NOW!!! The first book with exclusive updates to the crazy Jodi Arias Case!

It’s not for nothing that Jane Valez-Mitchell’s book, Shanna Hogan’s book and our books all show two Jodi’s on our covers. Authenticity provides further insights as to WHY...click on the image to find out why now.

It's HERE! The sensational follow-up to the runaway hit AUDACITY, focusing on the Penalty Phase...

After 7 years it came down to 1 juror. Click on the image to find out what happened.

Jodi Arias spent an unprecedented 18 days on the stand. Click on the image to find out why...

Shooter for hire

Nick van der Leek, bestselling author of REEVA IN HER OWN WORDS and co-author (with Lisa Wilson) of AUDACITY, is a prolific and versatile photojournalist. Nick has a client portfolio that includes the Square Kilometre Array (South Africa), John Williams, Mercedes Benz, Harmony Gold, The Free State Provincial Government, The Blue Train and many others. Nick has written for an incredible portfolio of magazines, from sport (Ironman, Bicycling, Cycling Weekly, Tour de France magazine, Fitness for Him) to travel (Country Life, Go!, Getaway, South, Franschhoek Style, Explore) to high brow publications focused on men's issues, IT, and economics (GQ, Men's Health, Financial Mail, Finweek, Brainstorm, ABSA Capital magazine). He has photographed and/or interviewed world champions, experts and celebrities, including Morgan Freeman, Lewis Pugh, Tyler Hamilton, Roland Schoeman,Miss World 2009, Gavin Hood, Chris Froome, Cameron van der Burgh, Professor Tim Noakes, Ronnie Apteker, Derick Joubert and more. Nick is a regular contributor to GQ, Afropolitan, Fitness, Country Life and Travel Ideas. In 2005 Nick completed an Ironman and performed at a provincial level in the following sports: triathlon, biathlon, swimming and football. To book a shoot, or share YOUR story, contact Nick at 072 821 9387 or email nickvanderleek[AT]gmail[DOT]com. You can also find him on Facebook.

Book 1. Reeva in her own Words - click the image to view the eBook

Click on the image for more information.

Book 2 of 5 in the Oscar Trial Series. Click the image to read a review by Jacques Steenkamp.

Click the image to read a review.

AVAILABLE NOW- on Amazon Kindle> click the image to see more!

Interviews with Oscar's former agent, analysis from SA's top legal minds and unanswered questions. Click on the above image to purchase *Resurrection* now.

Book 4 Revelations

Revelations reveals how the incident on February 14, 2013 could actually have happened. Click the image for more info.

Book 5 RESTITUTIO

AVAILABLE NOW! Click the image to find out more.

Book 6 Transcendence

Click on the image to find out more about this Amazon eBook...

Book 7 #RS

Click on the image to find out more...or to purchase this Amazon eBook...

Book 8 RESTORATION

Click on the image to find out more.

It's here: THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED EVERYTHING!

A tour de force of science and the world's latest and best technology.

More about me and what I do: Nick van der Leek’s top 10 tips for SA freelance journalists

Click on the image to read my Freelance Tips.

Visual Collage of my Photojournalism

If you would like to commission a story, click on the image to send an email.

Christopher Ulysses, in a bid to escape a dying, freezing Europe, embarks on an epic journey South.

Click on the image to buy this book

Confessions of a Failed Writer

Click on the image to follow my chronicles of misery and failure...

A collection of CHOICE photojournalism journeys

Click on the image to find out more.

Hard-hitting, grueling, controversial. AMERICAN TRAITOR interrogates the American Sniper murderer

Click the image for more.

Pageviews last month

Traffic

Have you heard of Nascar Shitstorius? Armless Olympic legend, became the world famous 'Blade Rower'

Follow by Email

Nick van der Leek's PORTFOLIO

people places perspectives

Pierneef Country - latest photojournalism in February 2012 Country Life

Tinus de Jongh's contribution to South African art

I believe the fount of my creativity comes from the de Jongh side of my family. Tinus is my great grandfather. Read more about him here, http://www.tinusdejongh.co.za/ or click the image above to view his art.

Family Ties - JOAN SCHRAUWEN

Joan Schrauwen is a water colorist, sculptor and author based in Veldrif, on the West Coast. From her home on the banks of the Berg River, she draws inspiration for her fine art and writing. Joan is my aunt, and the granddaughter of Tinus de Jongh.

Family Ties

Despite having two engineering degrees - civil and electro-mechanical - my brother elected to follow his passion - painting - full time. Being the great grandson of Tinus de Jongh, it was only natural that his artistic evolution would develop along similar lines. Casey's courage and consistency also played a huge role in inspiring me to follow my passion - into writing, photography and generally expressing myself artistically. Click on the image above to link to my brother's webpage.

Phil Liggett meets SHOOT

The Voice of Cycling meets Mr Trigger Happy

James Kunstler and NVDL

I met James Kunstler at Osmond Lange Architects celebratory dinner in Melrose Arch.

James Kunstler discusses New Urbanism in South Africa

Click on the image to listen to this Podcast

The barefoot revolution

The hunt to reverse-engineer the world’s most advanced running shoe. - click on the image to read the article

Country Life

My brother and I go in search of Tinus de Jongh

Contributor to Lonely Planet's SEOUL guide

I lived in Seoul for 4 years; where I rediscovered my love for travel, for writing and so travel writing was a natural permutation.